NBA star Gary Payton starts China tour with clinic

Nine-time NBA All-Star Gary Payton launched the festivities and the inaugural NBA Chinese New Year Celebration Season of 'Giving initiative in China' with a basketball clinic for underprivileged students in southeast China's Fujian Province.

Payton also had traditional Chinese New Year meal - dumplings - with the students at the Ankai School in Lianjiang county, reports Xinhua.

"I am so happy that I can come to such a remote place to see the students playing basketball," said Payton.

Payton will next head for Shanghai to visit the children at the NBA Yao Basketball Club, conduct a basketball clinic for a group of Special Olympics athletes and share the joy of the holiday by giving out special NBA Chinese New Year gifts.

Payton's tour is part of the NBA tribute from Feb 20 to March 5 with its biggest ever Chinese New Year celebration.